<p>The private equity firm that owns NSO, the Israeli spyware company at the heart of the Pegasus scandal, is being liquidated, a source close to the company told AFP on Monday, confirming media reports.</p>.<p>London-based Novalpina Capital, which bought the NSO Group in 2019, is being dissolved after a dispute between its co-founders.</p>.<p>Its liquidation leaves the future ownership of NSO unclear, just as the company is grappling with the fallout of a vast electronic espionage scandal.</p>.<p>Novalpina also owns the Estonian casino group Olympic Entertainment and French pharmaceutical company X.O.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/israel-defence-minister-benny-gantz-to-discuss-pegasus-scandal-in-france-visit-1013377.html" target="_blank">Read | Israel Defence Minister Benny Gantz to discuss Pegasus scandal in France visit</a></strong></p>.<p>The Financial Times reported that Novalpina's investors "have until August 6 to decide whether to liquidate the fund with a fire sale of its assets, or appoint a third party to take control of it".</p>.<p>French business daily Les Echos reported that Novalpina was being liquidated to put an end to an "internal war" between its founders.</p>.<p>But "the espionage scandal may have been the straw that broke the camel's back", it added.</p>.<p>The NSO Group has been at the centre of a storm this month after an international media investigation claimed its Pegasus software was used to spy on the phones of human rights activists, journalists and even heads of state.</p>.<p>NSO has denied any wrongdoing, labelling the allegations "false".</p>.<p>It insists its software is intended for use only in fighting terrorism and other crimes.</p>
<p>The private equity firm that owns NSO, the Israeli spyware company at the heart of the Pegasus scandal, is being liquidated, a source close to the company told AFP on Monday, confirming media reports.</p>.<p>London-based Novalpina Capital, which bought the NSO Group in 2019, is being dissolved after a dispute between its co-founders.</p>.<p>Its liquidation leaves the future ownership of NSO unclear, just as the company is grappling with the fallout of a vast electronic espionage scandal.</p>.<p>Novalpina also owns the Estonian casino group Olympic Entertainment and French pharmaceutical company X.O.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/israel-defence-minister-benny-gantz-to-discuss-pegasus-scandal-in-france-visit-1013377.html" target="_blank">Read | Israel Defence Minister Benny Gantz to discuss Pegasus scandal in France visit</a></strong></p>.<p>The Financial Times reported that Novalpina's investors "have until August 6 to decide whether to liquidate the fund with a fire sale of its assets, or appoint a third party to take control of it".</p>.<p>French business daily Les Echos reported that Novalpina was being liquidated to put an end to an "internal war" between its founders.</p>.<p>But "the espionage scandal may have been the straw that broke the camel's back", it added.</p>.<p>The NSO Group has been at the centre of a storm this month after an international media investigation claimed its Pegasus software was used to spy on the phones of human rights activists, journalists and even heads of state.</p>.<p>NSO has denied any wrongdoing, labelling the allegations "false".</p>.<p>It insists its software is intended for use only in fighting terrorism and other crimes.</p>